As Labyrinth Lord expressly treats encumbrance as an optional rule, I don’t take the time to examine what adventurers are carrying with a fine tooth comb. Most of the characters who put on heavy armor, at least in my conception of a high fantasy world, have the requisite strength to move in it efficiently. The only time I’m inclined to bring encumbrance into the equation is if one or more of the adventurers is carrying something that is especially heavy or large. As an example, looking several chapters back, had some of the company members insisted on trying to ferry the demonic statue out of the catacombs after the balor appeared, I would have had to consider that burden with respect to how quickly some party members would be able to flee the catacombs.

If only it had been in three parts to allow for easier transport.

In reply to Barnabus (msg # 875):

Who builds demon statues without casters? Shoddy workmanship!

Thanks for the confirmation on encumbrance, Loughcrew!

Yeah, way BITD when we were young teenagers encumbrance was not so much tossed aside as blatantly disregarded. Amazing how a party of adventurers with perhaps one Bag of Holding could carry an entire dragon's horde (or two) away in their backpacks.

"Yep, it's all here in my backpack - the 72,000 silvers, the 28,000 electrum, 17,500 gold, the three potions and the +2 backscratcher. No, doesn't weigh a thing!"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:10, Thu 16 May.

Also, these two statements:-

Whatever guise (Bato) might take on here in Helix, it will probably be one that will provide him with gold, or the ability to raise a good sum of it quickly.

And, at The Rosy Quartz Jeweler and Money Lender, apprentice jeweler Spyros Duan reports to work for the very last time.

Jewellers have access to gold, or plenty of valuables, no? A jeweler leaving town, today? How long has he been an apprentice? Heading north, perhaps??
This message was last edited by the player at 10:31, Thu 16 May.

So Spyros Duan is Bato.

I dunno, he might be. If only we had a way of testing..?

To prevent a red herring, Spyros Duan’s fate isn’t actually tied to Vocos Bato at all. It’s the result of the specific piece of jewelry he’ll be working on that morning.

I'll be out of cell service for most of the day, but I thought I'd throw my idea out there quickly on my way out of town. If Bato needs coin, let's set a trap for him... Let him come after one of us and then the others spring it!

In reply to Labyrinth Lord (msg # 881):

Now, now, he understood the risks when he answered such a perilous calling as apprentice gem cutter.

A beautiful sentiment, but given our track record, I'm predicting two dead villagers and at least one building damaged!!

Dax might look into buying shares in the funeral house chain and perhaps the building repair supply company - Ye Olde Home Depot?

I’m kind of getting the impression that there’s some level of insecurity regarding the overall safety of non-player characters in this campaign, which I feel is unwarranted.

It's professional concern. We feel the constant calls from HR are unwarranted, but we're trying to pick our battles...

Indeed. It's perhaps time we began printing and handing out our NPC Starter Packs - complete with participation badges, guidelines to the risks involved, and wills to fill out at the earliest convenience...

Don't forget the RED SHIRT! ;-)

Oh you mean like in the original Star Trek, where everyone in a red shirt perishes?

On that topic, I've always thought tribbles should be an option on the find familiar table.  Like when you roll a 1, or something.

But what ability would they confer to the master?  Rapid, asexual reproduction, maybe?

Yup, I grew up watching Star Trek! I was a little young for the original run (born in 1961), but reruns were abundant!

I take there is some other reason for this as 6 HD is within Baranbus's range?

Because I’m the DM. Because that’s my ruling. Because I’m bone weary with rules questions.

For the moment, The Rosy Quartz is considered the spectral warrior’s lair. There is a condition in place that is making that so. If said condition were changed, the possibility of turning would change with it.

At which point, the ghostly figure could be dutifully turned, prompting it to flee elsewhere in Helix. As it would be motivated to return, it would ultimately do so, causing further havoc at another location within the village.

The Unhallowed chain that Barny dropped off! Always getting poor folks murdered! Meanwhile, Bato is at the other place we WERE going to! Oops! ;-)

In reply to Labyrinth Lord (msg # 893):

@LL -- Fiat works for me. It was more a request for confirmation than a question, not sure I was even enamored with the odds.

@Max -- Totally an example of the causal fallacy. That spectral warrior's in Helix looking for that special something for Varghoulis's aunt.

I've played a lot of clerics, and can think of any number of times when undead turning wasn't possible in some situation or locale, for an entirely justifiable reason.

I kinda wish Barn controlled undead, like a proper evil cleric.  Only because that usually includes a chance to turn paladins.   And I could just picture, him and Sir Dryvyk fighting over the last flask of wine or such, and Barn taking out the unholy symbol,  "Oh yeah? You're outta here!"   ^_^

Apologies, Dax. I fell down on the job with regard to description. Yes, I’m afraid the old boy landed a solid strike on the ranger’s shoulder.


This. Although there is a decent selection of baubles within the catacombs, getting to some of them can range from inconvenient to deadly, even for the undead.


While I’ve adjudicated my fair share of games over the years, I have to admit that that would give me pause. I’ve never had a cleric turn another player character. :)

It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN... Something between those two is bound to happen one day!

Further, though Barney's odds are much better, Sir Dryvyk might one day be in a position to turn him!